Proper nutrition is the cornerstone of an athlete’s career. Still, many athletes do not realize the importance of this or they’re just simply clueless about the subject. Not knowing anything about nutrition will lead to bad habits that then result in an unsuccessful career. Take for instance bodybuilders who take weight loss to the extreme before a competition. Extreme weight loss produces a lot of stress on one’s body and this can lead to a difficulty in increasing muscle mass and strength over the long-term. Nutrition simply is eating the right food, at the right amount, and at the right time. Knowing this is not enough, you also need to practice it. This entails you to strictly monitor and record your food and calorie intake and abide by nutritional principles.

Catherine Jackson, author of the book “Nutrition for the Recreational Athlete”explains that following a very strict, high-protein diet often leads to irritability and decreased endurance. Avoid the pitfalls of a poor diet by eating enough calories and selecting the right foods. You can avoid the pitfalls of poor nutrition by making sure you’re not experiencing any of the following throughout your training program:

Get enough protein from a variety of sources – Proteins are the building blocks of muscles and so a low level of it will lead to decreased strength. Make sure to get proper amounts of protein in your diet. It would be ideal if you were getting your supply of protein from a variety of sources. Foods rich in protein are meat, chicken, egg, milk and soya – based products.

Moodiness or irritability – irritability is often the result of low blood sugar which means you might not be getting enough carbohydrates in your diet. Maintain healthy blood sugar levels by eating whole grains, fresh fruits and vegetables throughout the day, combined with protein to slow down blood sugar absorption. Not eating enough carbs can also affect your ability to concentrate and focus during your weight training routine, so eat healthy carbs at regular intervals throughout the day to optimize your results.

Increase in sickness – Being sick all the time is a sign that your immune system is weakened. Combat this by incorporating different food groups into your diet. Consume foods that are high in B vitamins and minerals such as milk, fish and soybeans.

Reduced pace – If you think your pace is on a decline then you might not be getting enough energy before your workout. Eating carbohydrates at least one hour before training will give you the energy you need to bring you back to speed.

Eat right and rest – Lack of motivation is a sign of burnout. Give your body enough time for rest. Not eating right can also cause stress to your body. Experts suggest that we eat several small meals distributed over the day instead of a few heavy meals. Eating heavy will make your body work harder to digest all those food. This will also lead to an unstable energy level. Professional athletes are commonly known to eat mini-meals every 2 to 3 hours. This helps in maintaining a stable blood sugar level needed for training.